'debt-ridden' originates from the combination of 'debt' and 'ridden,' where 'ridden' is used in the sense of being dominated or burdened by something.

'ridden' changed from the Old English word 'rīdan,' which meant 'to ride,' and eventually became part of the modern English compound adjective 'debt-ridden.'

Initially, 'ridden' meant 'to ride,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'burdened by' when used in compound adjectives like 'debt-ridden.'